A 20-year-old holiday tradition is coming to a close at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is pulling the plug on The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

The annual yuletide spectacle will end after this holiday season to make way for the theme park’s overhaul. People who want to glimpse the lights one more time can do some from Nov. 6 to Jan. 3.

“In order to prepare for some incredible experiences coming to the park, including the recently announced Toy Story Land and a Star Wars-themed land, we will not be able to present The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in the future,” an announcement on the Disney Parks Blog said.

The massive display has been one of Disney’s signature events. Millions of lights lining the Streets of America flash in sync to Christmas carols by the the Trans Siberian Orchestra and other artists. The slights are strung along the faux storefronts and houses. There are also lights in the shapes of angels, Christmas trees, toy soldiers, a spinning earth, and dozens of “hidden Mickeys.”

“It’s a very big deal - a family tradition for many people across the country,” said Banks Lee, host of an online show affiliated with Orlando Attractions magazine.

Fans had wondered about the lights’ fate for several years as speculation grew that a Star Wars land would come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Lee said he’s disappointed that Disney couldn’t find another place for it within its property, such as at Downtown Disney, which is undergoing expansion.

The event’s beginnings stem from the front yard of the late Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne. As his huge Christmas light display grew, so did his neighbors’ ire. The battle ended up in front of judges, and the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled against the Osbornes, ordering the family to tone down the decorations.

Then Disney played Santa Claus, stepping into save the display. Disney found the lights a home at Hollywood Studios. The company sent four 18-wheeler moving trucks to Jennings’ home to pick up more than 2 million lights.

“My family and I are more than grateful for the opportunity and experiences that Disney World has given to us, and most of all, given to millions and millions of people around the world,” Osborne’s daughter Breezy Osborne-Wingfield said in an emailed statement. “My greatest childhood memory was able to live on for an additional 20 years and it was also able to be experienced by so many-something you can't really put into words unless you've walked under that incredible glow.”

The spectacle of millions of lights has been at the Disney park since 1995.

Family members visited at least once a year to see the show. “We will also be at the lights again this holiday season,” Osborne-Wingfield’s husband Tristan Wingfield said in an email.

A Disney spokeswoman said the company is still working through the details of what to do with the lights themselves.

The lights were originally strung up at Residential Street, a movie set of faux houses that was later razed to make way for the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt-show stadium. Then they went to their current home at Streets of America, which become jammed with onlookers every winter.

“It brings back the old way of how we used to celebrate Christmas,” said Edith Gilbert of Pennsdale, Penn.. “How everyone decorated. I’ll be sad to see it go.”

Gilbert, 67, who was visiting the studios on Friday, said she thinks Disney is making the wrong decision.

“I think that there is plenty of room to expand without doing away with something that makes you awestruck,” she said.

The event remains a big draw for the park even after all these years, said Jim Hill, an industry blogger and editor of JimHillMedia.com

“Given the money they make just from hot chocolate sales and glow necklaces and all that, they do ridiculously well,” Hill said. “This thing makes a lot of money for the company. The fact they’re willing to sacrifice it to Star Wars lands kind of speaks volumes of what they feel about that franchise.”

Disney announced last month month it will build the 14-acre Star Wars land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – largest single themed land expansions ever. Disney will also build a smaller Toy Story land at the park.

Walt Disney Co. Chief Operating Officer Tom Staggs announced this week that groundbreaking on Star Wars will begin in 2016. No opening date has been given.

Star Wars especially is expected to transform Hollywood Studios into a major destination.

Still, next year will be a transitional year for the park, where several attractions have closed in the past year or so. American Idol Experience, the Studio Backlot Tour, The Legend of Capt. Jack Sparrow, and the Magic of Disney Animation have all closed in the past year or so. The towering sorcerer’s hat at the front of the park was also removed this year. A smaller departure: Disney confirmed Friday that the Mulch, Sweat and Shears rock show is coming to a close.

The park is trying to lure more people in the meantime with smaller events and attractions based on Star Wars, including Star Wars Launch Bay, an interactive experience that will preview the next movie in the franchise.

dineen@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414; spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240